JOLIET-AREA BIKE TRAIL WINS APPROVAL

Bob Merrifield, Tribune Staff WriterCHICAGO TRIBUNE

The Will County Forest Preserve District Board has approved the purchase of 154 acres near Custer Park in southern Will County in conjunction with a proposed bicycle trail between Joliet and the Kankakee River.

The land at Goodwin and Ritchie Roads is being purchased for $305,505 as part of a $70 million development and land acquisition program approved by voters last year.

The land, which includes a former farm and abandoned residence, lies along the proposed Wauponsee Glacial Trail, a 26-mile biking and hiking path that will skirt the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie.

The bike trail, which runs along an abandoned rail line, is expected to be built in about four years.

The land approved for purchase could become the trailhead for the bike trail, but it was purchased for its natural characteristics, including an upland woodland with American chestnut trees.

"It's one of the parcels on our important list, so it has been identified (for purchase) throughout the capital improvement program," said Bruce Hodgdon, the district's spokesman. "It could end up being the trailhead, (but) there is a parcel south of there that, if purchased, might be a better choice."

He said the 154 acres also was acquired for its role as an area flood plain.

"We are concerned as a conservation agency about the prospect of flooding as more and more of Will County becomes asphalted," he said. "So an area that contains a flood plain or wetland has a special significance for us."

Hodgdon said the future of the abandoned residence is uncertain.

"We will need a building inspection to determine whether it is salvageable and then see whether we would have a public use for it," he said.

The district also adopted an agreement with the state Department of Transportation to recover the cost of forest preserve land taken by the state in connection with a plan to construct a Peotone airport in stages.

"We've kind of been on pins and needles about whether we should try to acquire any properties there if they can be taken away from us tomorrow," Hodgdon said.

"Under the agreement, should we acquire lands and the inaugural portion of the airport be approved, we will be reimbursed for all of our costs."

With the guarantees in place, he said, the district would not have to neglect conservation efforts in the area just because an airport is on the drawing board.